When is the last frost in Bellingham, WA?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Bellingham is around April 1, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Bellingham 3 Ssw, WA station (2.8 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in Bellingham?

The average first fall frost in Bellingham, WA is around November 2, giving roughly a 216-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Bellingham, WA?

Bellingham is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8b (average annual extreme minimum temperature 15 to 20°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Bellingham?

In Bellingham, WA the warmest month is July (avg high 75.1°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 34.8°F). It averages about 35.9″ of precipitation a year and 3.4″ of snow.

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Bellingham, WA Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 8b · ZIP 98225 · elevation 5′ · NOAA & USDA data

Bellingham is in USDA hardiness zone 8b (winters can dip to 15 to 20°F), with a growing season of about 216 days between the average last spring frost (April 1) and first fall frost (November 2). The warmest month is July (avg high 75.1°F); the coldest is January (avg low 34.8°F). It averages 35.9″ of precipitation a year and 3.4″ of snow, mostly mid-winter. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone

min temp 15 to 20°F

Last spring frost

April 1

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

November 2

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

216 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 75.1°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Bellingham

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Bellingham 3 Ssw, WA (2.8 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	47.6	34.8	41.2	4.6	1.1
February	49.9	34.9	42.4	3.1	0.6
March	53.9	38	46	3.4	0.5
April	59.4	41.5	50.5	2.8	0
May	65.5	46.4	56	2.3	0
June	69.9	50.9	60.4	1.7	0
July	75.1	53.6	64.3	1	0
August	74.8	53.8	64.3	1.1	0
September	68.6	50	59.3	2	0
October	59.7	44.3	52	3.9	0.1
November	52.1	38.8	45.5	5.7	0.8
December	46.9	34.8	40.9	4.5	0.3

What to plant when in Bellingham

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 18 · Transplant out: April 8
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 4 · Transplant out: April 15
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: April 8
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: April 8
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: April 8
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: April 8
Basil	warm	Transplant out: April 8
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): February 25 · Sow (fall): September 7
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): February 18 · Sow (fall): September 7
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): March 4 · Sow (fall): September 7
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): March 11 · Sow (fall): August 24
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): March 18
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): March 11 · Sow (fall): August 24
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): March 4
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: March 18
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): March 4 · Sow (fall): September 21

Dates are computed from Bellingham's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

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Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in Washington

Marysville, WA Everett, WA Edmonds, WA Kirkland, WA Redmond, WA Bellevue, WA Seattle, WA Bremerton, WA

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Bellingham 3 Ssw, WA, 2.8 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Bellingham 3 Ssw, WA, 2.8 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.